Harden Shire Council is putting out a warning to residents on both the main line and branch lines encouraging those who have rail crossings of any form to notify them.

Whether the crossing is used as the entrance to your home or you use it to move stock between paddocks council are calling for you to notify them as they are in receipt of a draft rail interface agreement from the Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC).

After some research was conducted by the Harden Express it appears there have already been numerous stock crossings removed in the past three years after the introduction of concrete sleepers and in many spots only abandoned gates remain on either side of rail tracks.

Harden mayor Chris Manchester is upset with the thought that shire residents and other land owners right across the state could have to travel many extra kilometres to gain access to other areas of their properties.

“It worries me to think the ARTC can come along and close rail crossings without any notice,” he said.

“Land owners who have rail lines through their properties and use level crossings for access should be aware.

“I ask anyone who has concerns to contact me or the council so that we can make political representations to look after individual property owners existing usage of these crossings.

“This is not just an issue of the Harden shire but an issue for residents and property owners who have rail lines traversing through their properties.”

Councillor Manchester also said there was another major issue with these closures.

“In the case of a fire the extra time to find a suitable crossing point on the rail line could mean the difference between containing a fire or it turning into a major property threat,” he said.

Nubba resident Kevin Bradford said he had one of his main crossings closed a few years back when the new concrete sleepers went down.

“The crossing was handy to have, as we used it to move stock between paddocks,” Mr Bradford said.

“But there was too much liability on my side to warrant leaving the access.”